Reinvent Wreaths like Laura Dowling in 8 Steps

Are you and your customers ready for remarkable holiday wreaths? Laura Dowling, former chief floral designer at the White House, author and TED speaker, explains how in eight steps.

Laura is the author of Floral Diplomacy at the White House and A White House Christmas. Her third book, Wreaths, an exciting take on re-inventing the classic wreath with 78 inspiring designs, goes on sale later this month.

From that book, Laura shares with us 10 seasonal favorites including two how-to tutorials. And she offers her eight steps for making your own inspiring wreath designs.

“I think it’s time to reinvent the wreath as a decorative and symbolic element,” says Laura. “Make it striking again and elevate it from blasé to having je ne sais quoi and chic cachet.”

In Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, where Laura now lives, creative natural fruit and flower wreaths are a favorite long-time tradition during the holidays and throughout the year.

Whether creating customized fresh wreath designs for parties and special events or replicating the look with longer-lasting faux materials for the season, she offers here her trend-setting approach to re-creating wreaths in the historic Williamsburg style.

Fruitcake & Cranberry Lace Wreath

This winter fruit and berry wreath is a celebration of a classic holiday treat, the fruitcake. It features pomegranates, tangerines, dates and cranberries positioned atop a ribbon-covered base and encircled with a cranberry lattice border.

With the bullion wire, string the cranberries together, creating a garland a few inches in length.

Working in sections, wrap the cranberry garland around the pipe cleaner border, covering the entire surface.

“The secret of wreath-making is to create the design in levels and layers to achieve an intricate, polished and professional look.”

Wreaths of Williamsburg Style

In Colonial Williamsburg settlers used available natural materials for decorating their homes.

Ships from Jamaica delivered fresh fruits such as apples, oranges and pineapples. Flowers and vegetables were grown in their gardens. Grasses and flowers, collected from the fields, were dried for use in fall and winter designs when garden flowers were unavailable.

Today’s Williamsburg-style wreaths are still made from seasonal materials chosen in the garden, farmer’s markets or from the woods, creating a charm unique to the historic village.

Laura suggests these eight steps for planning and designing wreaths.

Laura Dowling’s eight wreath design steps

The planning process

Determine the purpose and occasion for the wreath. In this case, a holiday design.

Decide how long the wreath needs to last. Wreaths made of fresh materials typically meant to last only for a party or special event. They can be duplicated in faux materials for longer use.

Identify the context or setting. Indoor or outdoor wreath? Formal or Informal setting? What size? Which floral mechanics are needed? How will you use color, form and texture to complement the setting or backdrop.

Consider the time and effort required. Is making, displaying and disposing of the wreath worth your investment of time and materials?

“From an artistic angle, wreath design is like creating a masterpiece: mapping outlines and shapes, mixing colors and then painting an inspiring design.”

The design process

Start with a base layer to provide structure and color.

Follow with a layer of fruit, flowers or vegetables to create the body of the design.

Add another level of smaller accents. Layer in dimension with flowing lines and escaping elements like plant tendrils or vine materials.

Complete with a flourish of finishing touches. Add definition with a border of ivy, berries, ribbon or branches woven into garlands.

“In my White House work, I saw how the simple wreath form conveyed tradition, meaning and metaphor, representing so much more than a simple decorative placement.”

Instructions:

Wrap the burgundy ribbon around the wreath to create a loop for hanging.

Craft a ribbon base layer using the ruched ribbon technique.

Using the paddle wire, make garlands of pinecones by twisting the wire around the center, wiring four together, leaving two inches in between.

Lay the pinecone garland across the wreath, wrapping the ends around and securing in the back. Cut the excess wire.

Working in rows around the wreath, continue adding pinecones in this manner to cover the entire form.

Create eight garlands of magnolia pods, wiring two together.

Place the magnolia pod garlands over the top of the wreath, positioning the pods to fit in and around the pinecones. Twist the wire ends together in back.

Using the bullion wire, create cranberry garlands (about 8 to 10-inches in length), leaving 6 to 8-inches of wire on each end.

Wrap the cranberry garlands around the wreath like ribbons, creating a variety of patterns and lines. Secure the ends in back and cut the excess wire.

Using the floral adhesive (cold glue), attach individual holly leaves to create a touch of green throughout the wreath.

Consider temperatures and tempted critters

If you live in an area with temperature extremes or active wildlife, Laura suggests you may want to stay away from delicate or fresh materials and instead use faux, dried and non-floral options for exterior wreaths. Or add hot sauce.

“After years of trials and tribulations—and more than a few humorous run-ins with neighborhood squirrels and birds—I’ve learned to take a pre-emptive proactive approach when placing wreaths outdoors,” she says. “A light spray of hot pepper sauce or acrylic floor wax will keep unwanted critters at bay while adding a protective sheen.”

A spark of inspiration

Are you looking for a spark of inspiration for your holiday designs this season?

“For me, creativity boils down to inspiration. That intangible spark that leads to new ideas, originality and innovation in design.”

Consider these and other inspiring how-to wreath designs, found in Wreaths, scheduled for release in late November. It is available now for pre-order on Amazon and in bookstores nationwide.

How can you incorporate these creative wreath ideas, using either fresh or faux materials, in the holiday design collection you offer this season?

The Oasis Idea Weekly Blog on FloriologyInstitute.com is republished with permission and collaboration with Oasis Floral Products. The original blog can be found at: https://oasisfloralproducts.com/ideas/floral-ideas/

Floral Expert, Speaker, and Author, Sharon McGukin (Mc-Goo-kin), is nationally known for her captivating style of Floral ‘Edutainment’ – educational tips with entertaining insights. Sharing her forty years of experience with others, Sharon McGukin AIFD, AAF, PFCI is recognized across the country for her floral expertise, Southern charm, and easy, approachable manner with audiences.

A Past-President of AIFD – the American Institute of Floral Designers, Sharon has designed in almost every state in the US and internationally, as well. Sharon is a member of the prestigious Smithers-Oasis Design Directors Team. She actively participates with PFCI – Professional Floral Communicators, International, American Academy of Floriculture and the Society of American Florists.